TWO friends have completed a cycling challenge from Paris to London and raised £14,490 for Basildon Hospital's critical care unit.

Mark West and Danny Cooper completed the 280-mile fundraising journey in memory of Mark's father, Paul. He lost his cancer battle at the end of last year, but the family had nothing but praise for how the unit looked after him.

Mark said: "While my dad's passing remains heart breaking, the round the clock care and attention provided by those in Basildon Hospital's critical care unit went above and beyond.

"Not only did the team go the extra mile for my late father, but also for us as a family in our time of need which we will all be forever grateful for. Our challenge felt like just a fraction of the gratitude we have for them."

MNatron at the unit, Roopson Paluri, said: "Mark and Danny's donation means so much to our team. Mark and his family can rest assured that monies raised will be enormously beneficial to our critical team staff and patients. The support and thanks that Mark and his family has shown is appreciated by us all."